Stand Up for Yourself Lauren’s gaze was fixed on a spot for a long time.


    “Before his wife passed away, she called me to her side. She told Oliver that after she’s gone, he should marry me and give me my rightful status. She said she had upied my position for so many years, living a half-dead existence. She urged Oliver not to let me down.”  Lauren’s voice was hoarse and hopeless. I started to worry.


    “She also said that Oliver can’t touch the current house or their savings.


    After all, they have a son, so those things will go to him. She asked me not to be angry and that she was being selfish. She said that once she’s gone


    and Oliver marries me, she can’t interfere anymore.”  I thought that his wife was wise.


    "She mentioned the bracelet given by the Hansen family when they got married. She gave it to me, saying it was something only a true Hansen family daughter-inw could have.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    She passed it down so I could be a part of the Hansen family..."  She looked at me as she blinked back tears. “Do you know what Oliver said?” Lauren couldn’t hold it back and burst into tears.


    “He didn’t me her for anything she said! But h-he said he wouldn’t marry again. The Hansen family’s daughter inw will forever be her!” Lauren


    cried uncontrobly.


    My heart ached for her. Even I, an ; outsider, didn’t expect Oliver to say something so hurtful. I understood why Lauren had drowned her sorrows in alcohol after seeing her cry so hard.


    After a long while, she said, “I want nothing from them. The house, the car, thend—I don’t want any of it. All T want is my rightful status. After all these years... The entire city knows what kind of person I am. After all this time, that’s all he could say.” She burst into tears again. “Chlo... I...” “Maybe he just wanted tofort his wife, you know? After all, when someone is about to pass, they want to leave with peace of mind.” I guessed,


    trying to console Lauren.


    She shook her head. “I will never forgive him. What does he take me for? Outsiders can mock and ridicule me, but he can’t. He knows what I’ve done all these years. Am I that worthless?” She cried while speaking. Even if I wanted tofort her, I didn’t know what to say.


    “He doesn’t see me as a person at all! I’m just his tool, someone to share his troubles with. When he’s tired, I''m just a chair or a bed for him. He took that bracelet from my hand and put it on his wife''s...”  I scoffed, unable toprehend Oliver’s actions. My feelings weren''t just about anger.


    “So, I won''t take this house, What I want is my pride. I want to be someone again!” She spoke through sobs.


    “She’s gone, but I''m alive! I can’t live in this drunken stupor anymore.” “His wife was really something.” I shook my head. Lauren was showing true determination.


    “Alright, I''ll see if any apartments are avable.” “It doesn’t need to be too big—just an apartment, a ce that belongs to me.


    That way, I can stand tall. A person, Chlo, should always stand up for themselves.” Lauren choked up.


    “Help me pack up my things. [ want nothing else. I want to go out for a walk. When I get tired, I''lle back to find you,” she said gently.


    “Are you saying you want to pack now?” I looked at her with skepticism.


    She nodded. “Yes, now. I don’t want to see him anymore!” I paused. “Maybe you should talk to him. Some things need to bemunicated.” “There’s no need. I''m tired. I won’t regret it. I’ve done everything I should.


    I''ve fought for what I could. No more talking.” Lauren was resolute.


    “There’s not much of my belongings here. Just have them sent to your ce for now." “Lauren, how about letting As talk to him? He''s ina—* “Chloe, if this makes you ufortable, then I don’t need you.


    You can leave now!” She changed her tone, her attitude turned cold, and she got up and walked into the bedroom.


    “Lauren, that’s not what I meant. I''m just worried that you will...


    “No, I won''t!”  “Alright, let me help you pack!” I hurried over and pushed her back onto the bed. “You lie down. Just tell me what to do with your things.”  She sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. Then she went into the dressing room, returning with tworge boxes.


    After packing up, I took her boxes with me, She said she wanted to rest for a while,  I thought little of it. After all, in the


    evening, I still had to meet with As at the Beringer residence.